ICCV General Meeting Summary

May 28, 2026

Our apologies to those who were trying to watch the livestream. We had technical problems that we were unable to resolve in time. We had a small turnout, but some great information and discussion. 

Deb Johnson welcomed the group. 

Peg Hites and Amy Richards led the group in reviewing the chant from last month and learning a new one. (See photos)

Chuck Novak updated the group on the Adopt-a-Highway project. We have a contract to adopt roadway beginning at Hwy 127 in Northwest Hickory going up 3rd Ave to and including the OLLE art walk area. We commit to trash pickup at least 4 times / year for 4 years. However, if we decide to cancel, we are only required to give 30 days’ notice. The DOT requires safety training and a signed waiver. More info at https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/environmental/adoptahighway/Pages/default.aspx

Jeffrey Katz presented additional information on the National Single Payer effort originally presented by Julie Noh Smith at our April meeting. Her group is asking for organizations and individuals to sponsor their effort. It is no cost to sponsor. After a spirited discussion, the members present decided to provide the information to full membership so that interested individuals can sign to sponsor if they choose. ICCV will defer a decision on sponsoring as an organization until after the midterm elections. https://nationalsinglepayer.com/

Lynn Dorfman presented the Rally Committee update:

  • NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, June 2, 6 PM, Under the Sails. New committee members are welcome! Grab a beverage and meet us there! Going forward a big focus will be shifting events to Get Out the Vote!

  • This just in! Family Fun on Flag Day is canceled. Stay tuned for updated event information!

  • Also, on June 14 from 7:30 – 9:00 PM there will be an event in New York called Rise Up / Sing Out. This is a concert that is being live streamed on Netflix, presented by the Committee for the First Amendment, No Kings, National Indivisible, and other partners. Watch parties are encouraged. More to come! https://riseupsingout.com/

  • June 27 “All of U. S. 250” celebration. Plan is a 9 am march in downtown Hickory with three starting points all using portions of the City Walk and converging at City Hall with music/chants and a speaker. Starting points will be on the corner at Lenoir Rhyne and St. Andrews Lutheran Church, in front of the Piedmont Wagon area (with parking at Premier Venue), and Ridgeview Recreation Center, which starts the Historic Ridgeview Walk. Those who are unable to march can meet in front of City Hall while awaiting the marchers. More to come on this!

Suzanne Eller reminded people of the voting forum to be held June 4 by League of Women Voters. It’s being held at Catawba County Library in Newton from 6 – 7:30 PM. You will have the opportunity to ask questions about voting and the event will be live-streamed and available afterwards on their website. https://lwvcv.org/

Leah Martin provided information from Repairers of the Breach. There are 3.4 million voters in NC who are poor, low wage, and often infrequent voters. These are people we need to reach to increase voter turnout.

Lynn created a calendar of Juneteenth events, which Jeff will add to the website community calendar. 

Melanie Katz gave the Legislative Committee update. Continuing to send out Take Action Tuesday every week. Closely monitoring NC State Board of Elections new proposed rules, as well as multiple bills in the NC General Assembly. There could be as many as 7 Constitutional amendments on the ballot in November. It will be important to educate voters about these amendments because the wording on the ballot is likely to be misleading. 

Jeffrey Katz updated on the Marketing Committee. New shirts and visors are here and available. Suggested donation of $20 per item. Marketing committee and leadership approved sponsorship of a table at the Pride Festival on 9/19 and at the Centro Latino festival on 9/26. Leadership also approved funds for sponsorship of the Hickory NAACP Dance on 6/6. ICCV newsletters are now being sent monthly, on the Monday before the general meeting. The webpage is updated regularly and now has a community calendar as well as ICCV events. The Facebook private page is very active. If you invite someone to join that group, please remind them to answer the membership questions. 

The Last Class film, about Robert Reich’s final semester teaching at Berkeley, is now available to rent. The current plan is to show it at the next general meeting on 6/25. https://www.thelastclassfilm.com/

In closing, Peg Hites told a moving story about Diane Nash, a prominent civil rights activist in the 1960s and beyond.